REPORT 

ON  THE 
AT 

RDGSBRIDGE, 

WEAR  THE  CITY  OF  NEW-YORK. 


€x  ICtbrta 


SEYMOUR  DURST 


~t '  'Tort  nt&iitv  ^fn^erJa-m.  oj>  Je  Manhattans 


FORT   NEW  AMSTERDAM. 


(HEW  YORK),  J651. 


When  you  leave,  please  leave  this  hook 

Because  it  has  heen  said 
" Sver'thing  comes  t'  him  who  waits 

Except  a  loaned  book." 


Avery  Architectural  and  Fine  Arts  Library 
Gift  of  Seymour  B.  Durst  Old  York  Library 


REPORT 

ON  THE 
AT 

KINGSBRIDGE, 

NEAR  THE  CITY  OF  NEW-YORK, 

BELONGING  TO 

THE 

NEW-YORK  HYDRAULIC  MANUFACTURINC* 


AND 

BRIDGE  COMPANY. 


PROFESSOR  OF  NATURAL  AND  EXPERIMENTAL  PHILOSOPHY  AND  OF 
CHEMISTRY  IN  COLUMBIA  COLLEGE. 


PRINTED  BY  SAMUEL  MARKS, 

NO.  63  VESET-STRStXV 

1927.' 


TO  THE 


OP  THE 


AND 

BRIDGE  COMPANY. 

Columbia  College,  August  1827. 

In  compliance  with  your  request,  ]  proceeded  to  Kings- 
bridge,  on  the  13th  and  14th  instant,  and  examined  your  pro- 
perty there,  and  also  the  water  power,  attached  to  that  proper- 
ty, with  a  view  of  ascertaining  the  fitness  of  the  situation  for 
the  establishment  of  manufactures. 

The  momentum,  or  power  of  water,  is  made  up,  of  the 
quantity  and  of  the  head.  Where  there  is  great  head,  little 
quantity  is  required ;  where  there  is  little  head,  greater  quan- 
tity is  required,,  to  produce  a  given  effect*  My  first  object, 
therefore,  was  to  ascertain  the  quantity  of  water ;  my  second 
object,  the  head  which  that  water  had.  In  the  case  before  us, 
the  quantity  depends  on  the  extent  of  the  water  dammed  up, 
by  Macomb's  dam,  built  across  Hoerlern-River,  at  the  end  of 
the  Eighth  Avenue:  which  extent  was  ascertained  by  taking 
the  distance  between  that  dam  and  Kirigsbridge,  from  the  of- 
ficial map  of  the  city  of  New-York,  and  by  measuring  the 
breadth,  in  several  places,  so  as  to  make  a  safe  average.  In. 
establishing  the  breadth,  a  liberal  allowance  was  made,  so  as 
to  keep  certainly,  within  the  truth.   The  depth  to  which  I 


(4> 

think  expedient  to  draw  off  the  water,  is  six  inches  from  the 
surface.    On  these  data,  is  founded,  Estimate  No.  1. 

The  head  was  ascertained  by  taking  the  level  of  Haerlem-Ri- 
ver,  or  the  pond,  at  the  high  water  mark,  and  the  level  of 
Spuytendeuvil  creek,  on  the  west  side  of  the  mill,  at  Kings- 
bridge,  at  low-water  mark.     This  was  accurately  done,  by 
levelling,  on  the  days  above  mentioned.    On  the  first  of  those 
days,  the  difference  of  the  two  levels,  was  four  feet  and  eight 
tenths  of  an  inch ;  on  the  second  day,  four  feet,  three  inches 
and  nine  tenths.    The  time  was  very  favorable  for  determin- 
ing the  minimum  difference  of  level,  or  the  head,  as  the  tides 
were  exceedingly  neap.    On  the  first  day,  the  Hudson,  rose 
little  more  than  three  feet ;  which  is  a  rise  unusually  scanty. 
The  water  of  Hoerlem  river,  too,  was  discharging  through  the 
open  spaces  for  the  gates;  (the  gates  being  unhung)  for  which 
reason,  it  did  not  rise  within  some  inches  of  its  proper  height. 
From  these  facts,  I  am  of  opinion,  that  four  feet  may  be  con- 
sidered, as  the  least  difference  of  these  two  levels,  or  the  least 
head,  that,  probably,  will  ever  be  experienced.    On  these 
data  respecting  the  quantity  of  water,  and  the  head,  1  have 
founded  my  calculations. 

The  water-power  of  Kingsbridge,  in  its  natural  state,  is  a 
tide  power ;  and  this  kind  of  power  being  variable  and  ine- 
quable, is,  therefore,  unfit  for  manufactures  requiring  steady 
driving.  To  remedy  this  defect,  it  is  proposed  to  render  this 
power  uniform  and  perpetual,  by  making  use  of  Yonkers'  ri- 
ver, as  a  reservoir,  for  the  tail-water  of  such  factories  as  may 
be  erected,  and  by  maintaining  that  river,  always,  at  low-wa- 
ter mark.  This  river,  is  an  inlet  of  the  Hudson,  and  winds  a 
very  serpentine  course  of  nearly  three  miles,  through  the  val- 
ley, lying  immediately  west  of  Kingsbridge.  For  the  purpose 
above  described,  a  dam  has  been  constructed  across  its  mouth, 
with  flood-gates,  on  the  down  stream  side,  so  contrived  as  to 


(5) 

dam  out  the  rising'  tide,  thereby  maintaining  its  surface,  always 
at  tbe  level  of  low-water.  We,  then,  have,  on  the  one  side, 
Haerlem-river,  or  the  mill-pond,  at  all  times,  kept  at  the  level 
of  high  wafer,  and,  on  the  other  si<!e,  Yonkers'  river,  at  all 
times,  kept,  at  the  level  of  low  water:  or,  iu  other  words,  we 
may,  at  all  times,  draw  our  water,  from  a  full  pond,  and  dis- 
charge it  into  an  empty  pond.  The  important  question,  then, 
arises,  4  By  the  means  above  described,  can  the  water-power  of 
Kingsbridye,  be  rendered  unif  orm  and  perpetual,'  I  answer 
decidedly,  in  the  affirmative.  The  results,  then,  of  my  exa- 
mination, are  these  : 

That  at  Kingsbridge,  you  may  offer  a  uniform  and  perpetual 
water-power,  whose  minimum  head,  will  be  four  feet,  and 
whose  quantity,  as  will  appear  hereafter,  is  very  great.  (Ap- 
pendix No.  1.) 

That  the  conformation  and  situation  of  your  lands,  give  them 
peculiar  advantages,  for  manufacturing  purposes;  these  lands 
being  level  and  susceptible  of  easy  excavation,  and  accessible, 
at  all  times,  either  by  water,  through  the  Hudson  river,  or, 
by  land,  over  the  island  of  New-York,  without  expense  or  in- 
terruption from  a  single  ferry,  turnpike  or  bridge. 

The  distance  from  the  compact  part,  of  the  city  of  New- 
York  is  not  more  than  twelve  miles  ;  and  the  water-power 
lies,  wholly  within  the  corporate  limits  of  that  city. 

Tbe  quantity  of  perpetual  power  which  may  be  disposed  of, 
will  depend  on  the  capacity  of  Yonkers'  river,  considered  as  a 
reservoir,  for  the  tail-water.  This  capacity  is  found,  by  ascer- 
taining how  much  tail  water,  thrown  into  that  river,  would  be 
necessary  to  raise  it,  from  low-water  mark,  to  such  a  height  as 
would  impede  the  water-wheels  of  the  establishments  which 
may  be  erected.  In  making  this  calculation  I  have  not  taken 
the  length  of  Yonkers*  river,  through  its  various  sinuosities, 
but  have  measured  a  section,  merely,  of  it,  as  if  it  were 


(6) 

straight,  and  1,200  yards,  only  in  extent;  and  I  have  taken, 
its  smallest  breadth  nearly  as  the  average  width.  I  have  con- 
sidered, too,  the  water-wheels  as  placed  one  foot  above  neap 
low-water-mark.  And  the  result  of  my  calculation,  is,  that 
to  discharge  the  requisite  quantity  of  tail-water  into  Yonkers' 
river,  would  take  so  many  factories  as  that  their  united  powers, 
would  be  equal  to  234  horse-powers.    (See  Appendix  No. 

I  have  recently  had  occasion  to  calculate  the  power  of  the 
mill  seats,  at  Paterson,  (  oie  I.)  each  of  which  1  found  to  be  equal 
to  23  1-3  horse-powers;  and  my  calculation  has  been  confirm*- 
ed  by  the  experience  of  one  of  the  most  intelligent  manufac- 
turers of  that  town.  1  do  not  hesitate,  therefore,  to  express 
my  opinion,  that  your  company  may  fairly  and  safely  contract, 
immediately,  for  the  sale  often  mill-sites,  (note  2.)  of  perpetual 
power,  equal  in  value  to  those  of  Paterson,  and  may  take 
measures  accordingly ;  leaving  the  minute  calculation  of  the 
full  ex  ent  of  their  power  for  further  consideration.  In  con- 
formity with  this  view  I  have  prepared  a  plan  of  a  town-plot, 
providing  for  the  use  of  the  water,  and  for  the  accommodation 
of  the  manufacturers.  The  mill-sites  are  laid  out  50  feet  by 
200;  and  as  some  species  of'  works  m  *y  require  much  ground 
I  have  laid  out  fourteen.  The  basis  of  my  plan  is  a  survey 
made  by  Stephen  Ludlum,  city  surveyor,  in  1.8 1 7.  I  have  laid- 
out  he  remainder  of  the  upland,  included  in  that  survey,  in 
house-lots. 

It  being  very  important  to  preserve  space,  in  Spuytendeuvil 
Creek,  for  a  harbour,  and  in  Yonkers'  river,  for  tail-water, 
1  have  proposed  to  encroa*  h,  as  little  as  possible  on  the  first, 
and  have  increased,  rather  than  diminished,  the  surface  of  the 
last.  With  this  *  iew,  also,  L  have  not  proposed  to  join  the 
island,  at  ihe  mouth  of  Yonkers'  river,  to  the  m  in  land,  but 
to  leave  it  separated  by  a  canal  of  20  feet  in  width.  This  will 
permit  the  current  to  pass  through,  and  help  to  maintain  a 


(7) 

proper  depth  of  water,  in  the  harbor.  The  island,  howevef, 
xvill  not  be  lost.  In  the  event  of  the  improvement  of  several 
of  the  mill-seats,  it  will  become  valuable,  for  stores ;  for 
which  reason  I  have  represented  it  as  laid  out  in  lots  of  25  feet, 
front,  of  various  depths.  These  may  communicate  with  the 
main  land,  by  bridges.  To  distinguish  these  several  lots,  the 
mill-sites  are  numbered  in  Roman,  the  house-lots,  in  Arabic 
numerals  ;  and  those  on  the  island  are  distinguished  by  letters. 
I  have  not  considered  it  necessary  to  extend  the  plan  beyond 
the  limits  of  Ludlum's  survey,  as  some  years  will  probably 
elapse,  before  it  will  be  filled  up,  and  as  the  present  plan  will 
be  sufficient  to  occupy  a  considerable  portion  of  the  water, 
Nor  would  it  have  been  necessary  to  go  so  far,  at  the  present 
moment,  were  it  not  expedient  that  all  improvement  should  be 
made,  in  reference  to  a  definite  plan. 

The  works  which  it  will  be  necessary  to  construct,  in  order 
to  bring  any  part  ot  the  water  into  use,  are  represented  upon 
plan  B.  It  will,  there,  be  seen,  that  it  is  proposed  to  run  a 
bulkhead,  from  the  extremity  of  the  lot  formerly  occupied  by 
Perkins  Nichok,  to  a  point  110  feet,  southwest  of  the  line  of 
the  cooper's  shop,  making  a  length  of  130  Feet.  This  bulk- 
head will  be  seven  feet  high  above  low-water  mark,  in  its 
"whole  extent.  I  propose  to  connect  this  bulkhead,  with  the 
shore,  by  another  bulkhead,  at  right  angles  to  the  first,  hav- 
ing two  openings,  one  of  which  will  be  furnished  with  gates 
opening  inwards,  so  arranged  as  to  admit  vessels.  The  other 
opening  is  intended  for  an  extension  of  the  canal  as  shown 
in  plan  A,  but  closed  for  the  present.  The  total  length  of  this 
bulkhead  will  be  110  feet,  from  the  firm  upland  to  its  contact 
with  the  other.  Both  bulkheads  will  be  20  feet  wide,  built  of 
solid  stone,  and  made  perfectly  water-tight. 

It  will  be  necessary  also,  to  excavate  immediately,  about 
200  feet,  of  canal  or  mill-race.   The  position  of  this  is  mark- 


(«) 

ed  upon  the  plan  B,  and  has  been  located  with  reference  to 
convenience  of  establishing  mills,  and  cheapness  of  excava- 
tion. In  the  line  which  has  been  laid  out,  the  excavation,  will 
no  where  exceed  «4  feet,  the  line  being  in  its  highest  point, 
nine  feet  only,  above  high-water  mark.  A  part  of  the  exca- 
vation has  been  formerly  effected,  so  that  there  will  not  remain 
more  than  2,000  cubic  yards  to  be  done.  A  considerable  por- 
tion of  this  will  be  thrown  up,  as  an  embankment,  the  remain- 
der will  be  needed  to  fill  up  the  abutments. 

In  addition  to  the  works  represented  upon  the  maps  as  ne- 
cessary to  be  done,  [  beg  leave  to  state,  that  it  is  important, 
not  only  to  its  present  value,  but  to  its  prospective  use,  that 
Macomb's  dam  across  the  Haerlem  river  be  rendered  tight. 
There  appears  to  be  little  or  no  leakage  through  its  base,  but 
through  the  gates  and  piers  the  leakage  is  considerable.  The 
piers  may  be  easily  and  cheaply  tightened,  by  planking  the 
inner  face  of  them.  A  similar  precaution  will  be  necessary  on 
the  piers  of  the  dam  across  Yonkers'  river. 

In  making  up  my  calculations  and  estimates,  I  have  taken 
every  precaution  to  be  far  within  the  truth,  so  as  to  show  the 
least  power  that  may  be  had,  under  the  most  unfavourable 
circumstances,  that  no  doubt  may  exist  as  to  the  certainty  of  a 
sufficient  supply  of  power,  for  the  first  mill-sites,  that  may  be 
occupied.  The  dimensions  of  the  pond  whence  the  water  is 
to  be  drawn,  will  be  found  much  greater  than  my  estimate. 
The  capacity  of  Yonkers*  river,  also,  for  the  tail-water,  I  be- 
lieve to  be  double  what  I  have  stated  it.  1  have  taken  the 
most  unfavourable  kind  of  water-wheels,  namely,  under  shot 
wheels:  and  the  elevation  of  the  tide  is  assumed  at  four  feet, 
only,  when  it  is  a  well  known  fact  that  during  the  increase  of 
the  moon,  and  the  prevalence  of  easterly  winds,  the  waters  of 
the  sound  and,  of  course,  of  Haerlem  river,  will  rise,  seven, 
eight,  and  sometimes  ten  feet ;  which  heads  of  water  mav  be 


<») 

retained,  in  the  mill-pond,  if  Macomb's-dam  be  made  perfect- 
ly tight.  To  show,  in  a  very  clear  point  of  view,  ho*v  much 
within  the  bounds  of  truth,  are  my  estimates  and  calculations, 
let  it  be  borne  in  mind,  that  instead  of  measuring  Youkers' 
river,  in  its  whole  extent,  I  took  a  small  section  of  it  only. 
Now,  let  us  suppose  that  this  river  shall  be  found  capable  of 
receiving-  20,000  cubic  yards  of  tail-water,  instead  of  10,000 
cubical  yards,  of  which  fact  I  entertain  no  doubt,  then,  the 
power  to  be  disposed  of,  will  be  increased  to  46$  horse-pow- 
ers. Again;  if  we  substitute,  in  our  calculations,  breast  wheels 
for  under-shot  wheels,  that  power  will  be  farther  increased  to 
1,000  horse-powers,  or,  say,  40  mill-sites,  of  perpetual  power, 
equal  to  those  of  Paterson.  To  this  extent,  I  am  of  opinion, 
that  the  effective  force  of  the  waters  of  Hcerlem-river,  belong- 
ing to  the  company,  may  be  carried,  by  careful  engineering, 
and  by  taking  advantage  of  all  the  concurrent  favorable  cir- 
cumstances. 

JAMES  REN  WICK, 
Professor  of  Nat.  Exp.  Philosophy  and  Chemistry  in 
Columbia  College. 
I  have  read  the  within  report  of  professor  Renwick  on  the 
capabdities  of  the  waters  at  Kingsbridge,  and  I  have  submit- 
ted the  same  to  Colouel  Totten  of  the  corps  of  Engineers 
also,  and  we  are  of  opinion  that  what  is  stated  by  professor 
Renwick,  is  reasonable  and  correct. 

Given  under  my  hand  at  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  this 
twenty -fifth  day  of  September,  1827. 

ALX.  MACOMB, 
Maj.  Gen.  Chief  Engineer,  U.  S» 


B 


(10) 


No.  1. 

Estimate  of  the  quantity  of  water  that  may  be  furnished  by 
drawing  off  six  inches  in  depth  from  the  surface  of  Haerlem 
River,  between  Macomb's-dam,  and  Kingsbridge. 
l  ength  of  pond  .       .       .       fi,700  yards. 

Greatest  breadth  .  .  .  520 
least  breadth  for  two  miles  .  300 
Assumed  mean  breadth  .  .  260 
Surface         .  .       .  174,200  Sq.  yards. 

Afforded  by  drawing*  off  six  inches     29,000  Cub.  yards. 
Allowance  for  leakage       .       .  9,000 
Remains  for  driving  machinery  20,000 
Twenty  thousand  cubical  yards  may,  therefore  be  drawn 
each  tide,  or  forty  thousand  cubical  yards,  in  twenty-four 
hours. 

Yonkers'  river,  will  receive  as  per  estimate  No.  2.  ten  thou- 
sand cubic  yards,  each  tide.  The  quantity,  therefore,  ihat 
can  certainly  be  drawn  from  the  pond,  is  double  what  is 
needed. 


No.  2. 

Estimate  of  the  power  that  may  be  obtained,  by  using  the 
bed  of  Yonkers'  River,  to  receive  the  tail-water  of  mills. 
Assumed  length  of  the  river  in  a  straight 

line,  much  less  than  the  truth         1,200  yards* 
Greatest  breadth  70  yards;  least  breadth 
20  yards ; 

Assumed  mean  breadth,  also  less  than 

the  truth       .      ....  25 

Surface   30,000  Sq.  yards. 

One  foot  in  depth  on  30,000  sq.  yards  is  0,000  Cub.  yards. 
Or      ...  .      270,000  Cub.  feet. 


<H) 

A  cubic  foot  of  salt-water  weighs 

63  lbs.  17,010,000  lbs. 

The  least  difference  between  high- 
water  in  the  pond,  and  lo^-wa- 
ter,  in  Yonkers'  river,  is  4  feet. 

Taking  off  6  inches  for  the  fall  of  the 
mill-pond  and  one  foot  for  the  rise 
of  Yonkers'  river,  leaves  2  feet  6 
inrhes  head. 

Water  *  ith  a  head  of  2  feet  runs  with  a 
velocity  of  1 1  feet  per  second,  or 
(560  feet  per  minute. 

This  power,  therefore,  is  equivalent  to 

pounds  raised  one  foot  per  minute.  112,26,000,000  lbs^ 

But  in  under-shot  wheels  7-10  of  the 
whol.  power  is  lost,  which  redu- 
ces it  to  33,67,980,000  lbs. 

A  horse-power,  in  mill-works,  is  equi- 
valent to  24,000  lbs,  raised  one  foot, 
per  minute :  and  in  10  hours,  to 
14,400,000  lbs. 

The  quanti'y  of  tail-water,  therefore, 
which  Yonkers'  Creek,  is  capable 
of  receiving  is  equal  to  Horse-powers  234 

Equivalent  to  10  mill-sites  of  perpetual 
power  at  Paterson. 


Note  L 

The  term,  Horse-power,  used  as  the  conventional  measure 
of  the  force  of  different  mechanical  agents,  is  of  no  certain  deter- 
minate value,  being  from  its  nature,  vague  and  variable.  Still 
however,  the  manner,  in  which  it  is  used,  by  standard  writer  , 
or  mechanics,  and  understood,  by  practical  machinists,  will 


<12) 

serve  as  a  guide,  in  its  application.    Smeaton  assumes  a  horse- 
power to  be  capable  of  raising  22,000  lbs.  one  foot  high,  per 
minute.  Desagiullers  makes  the  weight  as  much  us  275,000  lbs. 
and  the  sum  24,000  has  been  frequently  used  in  the  calculation 
of  'he  power  of  water-wheels.    In  the  estimates  of  the  best 
manufacturers  of  steam-engines,  in  this  city,  the  measure 
of  a  horse  po*er,  is  extended  as  far  as  32,000  lbs.  and  even 
33,000  lbs.    But  it  is  to  be  observed,  by  the  estimate  of  Watt, 
that  in  a  steam  engine,  one  fourth  part  of  the  power,  is  lost 
between  the  point,  where  the  reciprocating  motion  of  the  pis- 
ton is  induced,  and  that  on  the  circumference  described  by 
the  crank  when  the  circular  motion  is  ready  to  be  applied  to 
work  machinery.    In  a  wate  -wheel,  on  the  other  band,  when 
applied  to  produce  rotary  motion,  no  such  loss  of  power  oc- 
curs.   Thus,  therefore,  a  water-w  heel  actuated,  by  a  power 
capable  of  raising  24,000  lbs.  one  foot  high  per  minute,  will 
drive  as  much  rolary  machinery,  as  a  steam-engine,  whose 
power,  es'imated  upon  the  piston,  is  equivalent  to  32,000  lbs. 
raised  to  the  same  height,  in  the  same  space  of  time* 

Note  2. 

Tt  will  be  admitted  that  the  town  of  Paterson,  N.  J.  owes 
its  prosperity,  to  the  employment  of  its  water-power.  There 
are,  now,  in  operation,  at  that  place,  16  manufacturing  estab. 
lishments:  and  these  give  support,  directly  and  indirectly  to  a 
population  of  6,200. 


LAX//  fib  -  ^//,//>/////-///^  EL  I  X  G.SBRU)  €tB  ts/sssiys>/s/  ■  f^u}^/A//rr//y/////r  fOMPANY 

Mill  Sites  ar-    iistiu^uisheil  by  Roman  ,  -  Bui  Idingr  Lot*    ly  Arabic  Numerals. 


3E  a  jks*r  Hi, 


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J "'''"/• 


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